Joaquin Niemann handed second major championship invite

There’s never been a better time to be Joaquin Niemann.

The Chilean stormed to a four-shot win at LIV Golf Jeddah last week after being awarded an invitation to the Masters the week before.

It was the 25-year-old’s second win on the Saudi-backed circuit this year following a season-opening win at LIV Golf Mayakoba.

And he added the triumph to an ISPS Handa Australian Open victory in December.

Despite being described as the ‘hottest player’ in the game, though, Niemann has had his eyes on another prize: major championships.

He told bunkered.co.uk last month about his “frustrating” major conundrum, as he eyed a way into the remaining championships.

“It got a little bit tastier getting that invite from the Masters because one of my goals was trying to get into the first major because the US Open you can get in. You can qualify.”

Niemann added that it “sucks” to have to do that, although acknowledged it’s a chance that is in his hands.

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And given his DP World Tour success down under, Niemann has played his way into the field for the Open at Royal Troon, leaving one box left to tick.

The PGA Championship, which takes place at Valhalla from May 16-19, remained the only major Niemann would struggle to qualify for, but that has now changed.

While speaking to GolfWRX, Niemann confirmed that he has received another major championship invitation.

“Yeah, I got an invite for the PGA Championship as well,” he said. “So, I’m in that one.”

He added: “I’m going to try and qualify for the U.S. Open. Hopefully I have a good finish at the Masters, and I won’t need to.”

Remaining qualifying criteria for the 2024 PGA Championship are yet to be decided, although the PGA of America has splurged invites to top players in previous years.

The governing body stuck to its tradition last year, filling the maximum field of 156 players with several players inside the world’s top 100.

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It meant that 18 LIV golfers competed at Oak Hill last year, as Brooks Koepka claimed a third Wanamaker Trophy.

The invite comes as LIV golfers continue to fight for places in golf’s biggest events. Niemann said it’s a problem they were aware of, but one that needs fixed.

“When we signed for LIV, we knew this is what was going to happen,” Niemann told bunkered.co.uk.

“Obviously we would have a chance to get world rankings – it’s probably not happening.

“At the end of the day the majors are supposed to host the best players in the world. Everybody knows who they are. Taking out the Official World Golf Ranking – which I think is not really a ranking – you can figure out who they are easily.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.